YouSaid · the spoken record

Arias

lines on the record: 1,107
first: 1999-09-11
most recent: 2023-02-07
sittings or episodes: 176
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, allow me to thank Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim and my great friend former General Assembly President Eliasson for their briefings. I would also like to convey to them the gratitude of the Republic of Panama for their tireless efforts and personal dedication to this difficult task. We hope they will continue to work as vigorously as they have in the past. There are currently three closely interlinked socio-political processes under way in the Sudan that involve the Security Council. These are the peace process; the deployment and operationalization of the Hybrid Operation; and the decision of the Council to refer the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court. None of those processes is making the appropriate progress expected. As pointed out by Mr. Eliasson and Mr.”
2008-06-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5922 (2008) · source
“This approach is particularly appropriate and necessary in light of the inability of the Council to reach agreement on this matter and given the open- ended nature of resolution 1244 (1999). If we do not take this step and deal with the reality of this proposal, we would be ignoring our primary mandate to ensure international peace and security. Instead, we would be prioritizing political questions of a national character. Finally, we would like to make it clear that all executive action, be it on the part of UNMIK, EULEX or the Kosovar authorities, must guarantee the security of the whole Kosovo community, including minority communities.”
2008-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5917 (2008) · source
“Moreover, and due to the changing situation on the ground, the European Union has made public its intention to play a greater role in Kosovo and to progressively assume, through the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo), part of the mandate that the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has seen fit to give to it. Furthermore, the role of NATO as a guarantor of the security of Kosovo and trainer of the multi-ethnic Kosovo security force is also to be borne in mind here. In these circumstances, we support the proposals of the Secretary-General to adapt the UNMIK format to the current reality as well as the intention of the European Union to assume, as has been deemed appropriate by the Secretary-General, part of the responsibilities of the United Nations in Kosovo.”
2008-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5917 (2008) · source
“Not only have we now witnessed Kosovo's declaration of independence and its subsequent recognition by a significant number of countries, including some members of this Council, but also, less than a week ago, with the support of the broad majority of the Kosovars, a constitution came into force which bestowed the State powers upon Kosovo and which, in addition, invites the European Union to assume a supervisory role in the establishment of the rule of law in the country. Moreover, the European Union, as the major regional organization with respect to this issue, has played an important role in Kosovo since resolution 1244 (1999) came into force and has acted in accordance with the operative part of that document.”
2008-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5917 (2008) · source
“However, Panama recognizes that it is the responsibility and the capability of the Secretary- General to implement the mandates given to him by the Security Council and, accordingly, to adjust those mandates as the circumstances on the ground continue to change. Secondly, we would emphasize the preponderant role to be played by regional organizations in the resolution of issues being dealt with by this Council. Referring now to the substance of this issue, we cannot deny that the reality on the ground in Kosovo today is very different from the reality that existed when the Security Council approved resolution 1244 (1999) without an end date.”
2008-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5917 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his presence in this Chamber and recognize the importance of the report that he has just presented to us (S/2008/354). We would also like to welcome the President of Serbia, Mr. Boris Tadic', and the President of Kosovo, Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu, and to thank them for their respective statements. Before getting into the subject at hand today, related to the future of Kosovo, I would like to highlight two subjects that are particularly important to Panama. I would like to say first that Panama would have preferred that the differences between Serbia and Kosovo had been addressed in a different way.”
2008-06-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5917 (2008) · source
“Ending the cycle of violence against them before, during and after armed conflict depends in large part upon their empowerment and active participation in all areas of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries. To put it slightly differently, women and girls require peace, and peace requires them.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Those efforts should be supported by awareness-raising and education campaigns on the human rights of women and children and the impact that sexual violence has both on its victims and on society in general. In order to improve the ability of the Security Council to react effectively to this challenge, we need credible and relevant information about sexual violence. It is therefore imperative that the Secretary- General provide the Council with periodic reports highlighting the deep-rooted causes of the phenomenon, as well as the most effective strategies to combat it. In relevant cases, the Secretary-General should also include more detailed information about the issue in his reports on specific conflict situations. In conclusion, allow me to emphasize the need to acknowledge that women and girls are crucial pillars of society.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“The Council must also establish clear, convincing and viable mandates for peacekeeping operations that ensure the protection of civilians, especially women and girls. Where appropriate, the Council must also reassess the effectiveness and scope of such mandates. In that regard, the Council should also support the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy for personnel working in peacekeeping operations. Likewise, the Security Council and the rest of the Organization should redouble their efforts to provide victimized women and children with adequate health services - including free and confidential testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, as well as the appropriate treatment, psychological care and post- trauma evaluation, rehabilitation and social reintegration services and effective and sufficient compensation.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“However, despite those efforts and other normative progress made in this area, in particular the Security Council's adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), women and girls continue to be subject to all sorts of discriminatory violence. It is therefore essential that the Security Council duly consider the use of sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war and devise mechanisms to mitigate, eliminate and effectively punish that practice. In doing so, it is imperative to recognize that justice is the main guarantor of human rights. The Security Council must therefore send a clear warning that acts of sexual violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict will not go unpunished. It must also provide special support for the International Criminal Court to ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes are tried and convicted.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“That is especially true in countries where the absence of the rule of law makes it impossible for the State to provide the necessary protection to millions of women and girls. Moreover, it is generally accepted today that systematic acts of sexual and gender-based violence are violations of human rights, affect human security and development and represent an assault on international peace and security. As a result, the international community has classified such criminal behaviour as crimes against humanity and given the special courts established by the Security Council and the International Criminal Court jurisdiction in trying and convicting those guilty of committing such crimes.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, allow me to congratulate your Government, Mr. President, for having convened this important meeting. I would also like to acknowledge the presence in the Chamber of the Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly at the beginning of the meeting. I would like to thank them and the Council's special invitees for their important statements. The annals of modern history document the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. The conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Darfur and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are but the most recent and notorious examples. The recurring nature and increase in the number of acts of sexual and gender-based violence mean that such violence has gone from being a weapon of war to an epidemic.”
2008-06-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5916 (2008) · source
“If that is not genocide, I do not know what else to call it. Panama calls on those countries that have signed the Rome Statute not just to comply with their obligations under it, but also to ensure that there is an end to impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity. We also call upon those countries that have not signed the Rome Statute to do so. The International Criminal Court is an appropriate mechanism for bringing to trial and judging those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Finally, Panama unconditionally supports the draft presidential statement presented by the Government of Costa Rica.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“Accordingly, Panama fully supports the decision of the Court to investigate two new cases to determine those responsible for persistent attacks on the civilian population, especially the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa tribes, as well as the African Union and United Nations personnel responsible for protecting them. It is precisely such dedication, impartiality and integrity that will make the Court's work more relevant and welcome. Panama cannot disregard Prosecutor Moreno- Ocampo's clear and dramatic description of the seizure of lands to which the people of Darfur have been subjected, or his warning that the violence against unarmed civilians, the impunity of the perpetrators of the violence and their protection by the Government could lead to the disappearance of the people of Darfur.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“That is why we demand once again that the Government of the Sudan comply with its responsibility to the international community by arresting and placing those individuals in the Court's custody as soon as possible. On the other hand, as the Court's report has suggested, failure to do so and its consequences will lead to the perception of total impunity, which will only provoke more violence and complicate efforts to establish the conditions necessary for peace and security in Darfur. Last October, in this very Chamber, we condemned the attack on the African Union mission base in the city of Haskanita, presumably by groups of rebels. The Council has also reiterated its concern at the ongoing violence in Darfur.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“However, after one year since the issuance of the warrants, the Government of the Sudan refuses to arrest and hand over those individuals in compliance with due process. Prosecutor Moreno- Ocampo has told us that, in addition to failing to enforce the decisions of the Court, the highest levels of the Government of the Sudan are taking decisions to commit, deny and cover up crimes. In that context, we must emphasize that all resolutions of the Council are legally binding for all States Members of the United Nations. The obligations that arise from resolution 1593 (2005) require the Government of the Sudan to cooperate with the International Criminal Court, regardless of whether or not it is a signatory of the Rome Statute.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“In March 2005, through the adoption of resolution 1593 (2005), the Security Council, for the first time, referred a specific case to the International Criminal Court under article 13 of the Rome Statute. That historic event gave the International Criminal Court the responsibility to ensure that the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur would not go unpunished. The Court fully accepted the task and has undertaken a detailed investigation of those violations. The result of the investigation led to arrest warrants being issued against Minister Harun and Mr. Kushayb for their alleged commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity. We trust that those investigations will identify those guilty of all crimes committed in Darfur, without distinction between authorities and rebels.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me at the outset to thank Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo for introducing the striking - to say the least - report of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which examines in detail the implementation of resolution 1593 (2005). I take this opportunity also to welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, my good friend His Excellency Bruno Stagno Ugarte, and to assure him that Panama shares the commitment of Costa Rica - and his own personal commitment - to the purposes of the United Nations and of the International Criminal Court; I thank him for his statement this morning. I wish also to convey a warm welcome to the new Permanent Representative of Belgium, Ambassador Jan Grauls.”
2008-06-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5905 (2008) · source
“In order to prevent this concept from becoming a mere footnote to history, we must be clear about its definition so that it can provide a concrete mandate for those entrusted with the protection of civilians.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Finally, my delegation has repeatedly stated that there is a close relationship among international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and the concept of the responsibility to protect, as set out in the 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/ 1). That principle makes the State and its institutions responsible for protecting its citizens from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, and it warns that, if the State does not wish to protect its population or is unable to do so, the international community is obliged to help with that task, or to assume it, through an effective and transparent response.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“In the sphere of international justice, the International Criminal Court is, without question, the key instrument for avoiding the obstacles I have mentioned and deterring parties from ignoring the rules in this area. Unfortunately, initiating a case and gathering evidence can sometimes be an enormously complex and difficult task owing to the situation on the ground. Hence, we encourage all States Members of the United Nations to help the Court in its work by providing the resources and evidence needed to punish the perpetrators of crimes in conflict areas. Nor can we forget that the protection of civilians is relevant not only during armed conflict. The international community must also support States in meeting the most pressing needs of their populations when those populations are affected by natural disasters.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Also, the Council should take on a supervisory role and use all the tools at its disposal to identify those who commit such violations and bring them to trial before the relevant judicial bodies. At the same time, the United Nations should carry out preventive activities by collecting and disseminating information, implementing an early-warning system in coordination with regional and subregional organizations, and strengthening State institutions in order to protect human rights, the rule of law and the provisions of basic services. In parallel, it is important to incorporate - or where it already exists, strengthen - the civilian protection element in current peacekeeping operations. In that context, we agree with the suggestion that a Security Council working group on the protection of civilians in armed conflict be established.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Among them 08-3528] we wish to emphasize restrictions on access for humanitarian assistance owing to security, bureaucratic or logistical factors. We must also emphasize other challenges to the provision of humanitarian assistance that we consider to be of great importance. These include a lack of clear mandates for humanitarian actions; a lack of monitoring and investigating mechanisms to identify and register the perpetrators of flagrant and systematic violations of international humanitarian law. Among such violations, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and, most recently, acts of piracy deserve particular attention. To confront these challenges, the Security Council must implement a strategic vision for the more effective allocation of existing resources and capacities.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): Permit me at the outset to thank you, Mr. President, for the timely convening of this open debate on a topic of great importance on which your country has taken the lead. We also appreciated the briefing by Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, about the alarming situation of civilians in armed conflict. The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are the foundation of international humanitarian law. They are the highest expression of international law as regards the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Nevertheless, there are countless obstacles to protecting civilian populations caught in the midst of hostilities, which were extensively described in Mr. Holmes's presentation.”
2008-05-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5898 (2008) · source
“Finally, I would like to express Panama's support for the draft presidential statement that has been submitted by the Government of the United Kingdom.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“In turn, leadership and communication on the ground are paramount in order to make those efforts work. To that end, particular attention should be paid to the selection and strengthening of the coordination role of the Special Representatives of the Secretary- General. Channels for communication should be ensured with the country's Resident Coordinator in order to ensure the effectiveness of those initiatives in the long term. We would like to underscore that, for Panama, human beings with all their complexity, needs, fears and aspirations, should be placed at the heart of peacebuilding. That exercise is thus both integral and multidimensional in nature. It is the duty of the United Nations and of this Council to assist States in the responsibility to protect the human rights of post- conflict populations.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Addressing the most visible symptoms also involves addressing the root causes of the conflict from the outset, immediately following the signing of a peace agreement and until the relevant communities have attained sustainable and socially responsible development. I would like to state that Panama fully shares the View expressed earlier by the representative of Costa Rica that every United Nations peacekeeping effort should be undertaken in parallel with a peacebuilding effort. It almost goes without saying that those peace processes should be led by the country concerned, that they should include regional and subregional organizations and that they should be able to draw on the financial resources and capacities necessary for their success.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“To that end, it is crucial that the Security Council, from the outset, establish clear, convincing and viable mandates for the future establishment of integrated missions, which would include, from early on, programmes for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants; security sector reform; conflict resolution and reconciliation techniques; the provision of technical assistance for democratic development; the promotion and protection of human rights; assistance for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse; and stabilization and recovery efforts to be carried out by the United Nations country teams. Our aim should be to support communities emerging from conflict with coordinated, coherent and integrated strategies and mechanisms throughout the process.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“However, the resolutions establishing the Commission - resolution 1645 (2005) and do not clearly stipulate when the Security Council should end its involvement - or when the Peacebuilding Commission should take up its duties. Panama is of the view that this should not be seen as an event, but rather as a process in which the Security Council commits itself to gradually reducing its participation and influence in the peacebuilding process as the Peacebuilding Commission takes up its responsibility for the process and takes the necessary medium- and long-term measures.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“It is undeniable that the Security Council is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and, as such, is the key protagonist in the peaceful resolution of conflicts. In turn, it is universally acknowledged that, while the deployment of measures to promote and maintain peace is a prerequisite for ending conflict, it is not in itself sufficient to attain lasting peace and to prevent countries that lack the appropriate State machinery from quickly relapsing into violence. In order to strengthen the peacebuilding process, at the 2005 World Summit, heads of State established the Peacebuilding Commission as an advisory body of the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and Security Council.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, allow me, on behalf of the people of Panama, to express our solidarity with the peoples and the Governments of China and Myanmar in view of the tragedies that they both have suffered following the recent natural disasters. This is a timely occasion to extend to you, Mr. President, my country's most sincere gratitude for convening this meeting and for your Government's dedicated support for the consideration of the issue of post-conflict peacebuilding. The subject that we are addressing today is how to attain lasting and sustainable peace in a country that has been affected by armed conflict, and which United Nations entities should participate in that process, the details of their involvement and, finally, their exit.”
2008-05-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5895 (2008) · source
“The European Union must energetically and comprehensively maintain the responsibility it has assumed in Bosnia and Herzegovina as a priority of its members. The political transition in the Balkans can be eased only by greater stability and interaction among the people themselves.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“The future of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the hands of its citizens, but it will also need the country's authorities to demonstrate greater leadership, courage and vision than they have in recent months. Progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina will also require the active participation of the international community. Today more than ever, the international community has a responsibility to guide Bosnia towards liberal democracy and a free-market economy. To that end, we reaffirm the five objectives and two conditions agreed by the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council. Similarly, the European Union must redouble its commitment to Bosnia if that country is to meet the obligations that it has undertaken.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“The major disputes between the political parties on key institutional reforms, particularly on the Constitution and the police, do not augur well for future political relations among the three nationalities of the country. Unless a political consensus is reached that transcends ethnicity and the nationalist goals that led to war in the past, the viability of the State will remain uncertain. Otherwise, the goal of the Dayton Agreement, which was to cement peace in multi-ethnie Bosnia, may get lost en route. We reaffirm the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and urge its political leaders to cooperate among themselves and with the High Representative to accelerate institutional reform.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): At the outset, I wish to welcome the presence here today of Mr. Nikola Spiric', Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We should also like to welcome and express our pleasure at seeing the High Representative and European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Miroslav Lajcak. We congratulate him on the arduous work he has done throughout almost a full year in his post. We wish him every success in the coming months, which will certainly be critical for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its future in Euro-Atlantic institutions. It is clear that, despite major progress in implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina still has a long way to go on its road to Europe.”
2008-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5894 (2008) · source
“We are firmly convinced that it is only through dialogue, understanding and consultation that we can unite forces capable of developing new proposals to resolve the major imbalances and problems suffered by our peoples and regions. Panama reiterates that, if we are to expand the cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations, particularly the African Union, we must all become true partners in our plans and, thus, repositories of mutual confidence and respect.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“Such a framework should be based on the principles of promotion of and respect for human rights, which are the guiding principles of both OCHA and the AU. Before concluding, I must point out that the current situation in the region of Latin America and the Caribbean is largely the result of close cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of American States in preventing and resolving conflicts. That cooperation is currently reflected in the progress that is being made in Haiti. Nonetheless, the existing regional mechanisms must be constantly evaluated and fine-tuned so that the collaboration between those mechanisms and the United Nations is as effective and efficient as possible. Finally, Panama reaffirms its commitment to international legality, multilateralism and the principles governing relations between States.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“However, the actions of the current Government are disturbingly similar to those of autocratic regimes when they refuse to recognize the outcomes of elections and resist giving up power. Ignoring that situation could head us for another disruption in the peace and security in the region. In addition to conflict prevention, cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations should seek to protect the civilian population, particularly the most vulnerable groups, such as women and children. That is why we commend the important collaboration among the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the African Union and subregional organizations to build a more effective normative framework for the protection of civilians in Africa.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“It is important, inter alia, to highlight the work undertaken by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations on the establishment of an African standby force that can respond to potentially explosive situations and deter belligerent groups from resorting to arms for resolving conflicts and thus putting civilian lives at risk. Clearly, that requires determination, readiness and capacity on the part of African States. It is difficult to discuss conflict prevention in Africa without referring to the political crisis in Zimbabwe. Panama highlights the important efforts made by you, Mr. President, and by the South African Development Community in helping to resolve that crisis, respecting the democratic will of the citizens of Zimbabwe and ensuring a legitimate process.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“In this context, we must also mention Panama's deep concern about piracy off of the Somali coast, which hampers the vital transport of humanitarian supplies and threatens marine commerce in the Horn of Africa. My delegation agrees with the recommendations of the Secretary-General to intensify the coordination between the African Union and the United Nations in conflict prevention and to strengthen the African Union's early warning system by, among other strategies, creating an appropriate multi-risk mechanism. Similarly, we need to extend collaboration to other aspects of great strategic importance.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“Panama reiterates its support for the continued collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union, as a mechanism for preventing and, if necessary, dealing with threats to peace and security in the region. Despite the successes achieved in these efforts, we would like to share our concern about, inter alia, the difficulties encountered in establishing the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and the international community's inability to provide the necessary resources to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). In the case of Somalia, the African Union has submitted a detailed report on what the forces on the ground require. We regret that, to date, the Security Council has not paid heed to this request.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): Allow me at the outset to recognize the presence here today of the Secretary-General and of our guests from the African region. Above all, I would like to congratulate you, President Mbeki, and my good friend Ambassador Kumalo for the interest that South Africa has shown in the search for mechanisms to strengthen and render more effective the role of regional organizations and their relationship with the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. This is a good opportunity to recognize in general terms the valuable contribution that regional organizations have made in identifying and resolving the causes of armed conflict, as well as their fundamental importance in conflict prevention and resolution.”
2008-04-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5868 (2008) · source
“Finally, everything seems to indicate that in order to create an environment conducive to a genuine negotiating process with a View to attaining a lasting and final peace, we must, in addition to resolving the aforementioned obstacles, take the following measures in the shortest possible time. Israeli must immediately and unconditionally end the construction of settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, including in West Jerusalem. Hamas must end its rocket attacks against Israel. Israel must end its incursions into occupied Palestinian territories and its siege of Gaza. Until these requirements have been met, all efforts for a peace process are doomed to failure. There is nothing new in what we are saying. On the contrary, it is known by the majority, but it is not said by everyone here.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“That would have serious consequences for a region already threatened by new and even bloodier conflicts. For Panama, the lack of progress is due, inter alia, to two overriding factors. On the one side is the apparent lack of political resolve on the part of the Israeli Government to commit itself to a genuine negotiating process that, given its nature, would require relinquishing certain aspirations and positions. On the other side are the profound political differences among Palestinians parties, which lead to the inability to reach agreements with a view to establishing a national unity Government that could advance the negotiating process. The announcement of a new dialogue between Hamas and Fatah, under the auspices of Yemen, augurs well in this regard, though we cannot ignore the results of similar, earlier efforts.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“We have to add here that the debates held in the Security Council every month on this issue do not seem to contribute in any way to the peace process. In this context, however, we must express our recognition and appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General for peace in the region. We all know that a final peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians must be based on the existence of two States living in peace with each other and with their neighbours, within the 1967 borders. The latest significant initiative in this regard was the Annapolis Conference organized by the United States, in which the world placed renewed hope. Unfortunately, at this time the Annapolis process seems to have come to a standstill and is at risk of collapse.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“Mr. Arias (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate. Allow me also to thank the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Lynn Pascoe, for his briefing, which shows us that the cycle of violence in the region continues and that the peace process between Israel and Palestine has apparently not progressed. Moreover, the last months have clearly revealed the inability of the Security Council to reach an agreement on this matter. Not only did we fail to adopt a resolution on the precarious humanitarian and security situation in Gaza that exists due to the Israeli measures, but we were also unable to reach agreement on a press statement condemning last month's terrorist attack on a Jewish seminary in West Jerusalem.”
2008-03-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5859 (2008) · source
“Smith regarding the importance of ensuring consistency in the work of the Executive Directorate. This is a technical Secretariat, composed of various experts with a specific mandate. All documents and evaluations submitted by the Executive Directorate should be based on technical criteria, avoiding any form of political consideration. It is only thus that the Executive Directorate will be able to fulfil the mission entrusted to it. Taking into account the information submitted to us by Mr. Smith, Panama supports the renewal of the mandate of the Executive Directorate and wishes it every success in carrying out its functions.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“This would avoid duplication of effort and enhance the coordination of the entire United Nations system in combating this scourge. We also support greater interaction between the CTC and CTED on the one hand and the Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner on the other. With regard to internal reorganization, we take note, with interest, of the establishment of thematic groups, as well as the two new entities, one, dealing with the quality control of documents, the other dealing with communication and outreach. We take note of the relevance of these new innovations in order to achieve greater accuracy and a closer and enhanced style of the work in question between the Executive Directorate and the Member States. This would thus contribute to the effective implementation of its mandate. Finally, we agree with Mr.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“In particular, we welcome the planned visits to developed countries in order to monitor their compliance with resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) and in order to draw on their experience in providing technical assistance to countries which need it and have sought it. With regard to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, as adopted by the General Assembly, we wish to emphasize that its comprehensive nature gives scope for addressing issues, such as the root causes of terrorism, which, given their nature, are not, strictly speaking, within the mandate of CTC. In this regard, we welcome the decision of the Executive Directorate to step up its involvement in the Task Force, and we recommend that it make contributions alongside this Task Force, in accordance with its mandate.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source
“With regard to the visits of the Executive Directorate, it is worth recalling, during the year when we chaired the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), visits to specific countries were the subject of lengthy discussions. At that time, the Committee and its Executive Directorate lacked the necessary procedures to set clear objectives for these visits. This, combined with the fact that only developing countries were visited, could be perceived as a selective decision. The new proposal, which will allow for greater flexibility in the nature and aims of the visits, will both have positive results and establish criteria for deciding which countries are to be visited.”
2008-03-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5855 (2008) · source